Peninsula District notes: Hampton QB Eubank back sooner than expected

Jeremy Eubank was expected to give Hampton's offense a needed presence at quarterback following the graduation of David Watford. Then an offseason hand injury put him on the shelf until, it was thought at the time, at least October.

But Eubank, a transfer from Varina whose fortitude Smith has praised, made an unexpected appearance in Friday night's 20-0 loss to Bethel. He completed 3-of-6 attempts for 27 yards and was sacked four times.

Though Eubank handled the ball well with his hand, which underwent surgery following an automobile accident in late July, Smith was non-committal about his status for Friday night's game against Woodside.

"That's still in question," he said. "We'll have to wait and see."

As for linebacker/tailback Kavon Bellamy, who sprained his ankle two weeks ago against Norcom and was a non-factor vs. Bethel?

Smith said Bellamy is more likely to return at linebacker before getting reps at tailback.

Still churning

When Kecoughtan junior Trenton Cannon rushed for 159 yards in the season opener against Churchland, some might have considered it a blip. After all, who was this kid?

But after three weeks, Cannon remains the runaway rushing leader in the Peninsula District with 486 yards on 53 carries. That's 162 yards a game and 9 per carry.

Even the slop that was Darling Stadium's turf on Saturday didn't slow him down. Cannon ran for 159 yards on 24 carries.

"Trent's a good running back," Phoebus linebacker Justin Lyles said. "I remember him when we were playing rec league. He wasn't that good then, but I guess he ate his Wheaties. Trent's gotten better."

Plenty of distance

For Menchville's Dillon Christopher, Monday was a memorable night. It was a foot or so away from being historic.

In the third quarter of the Monarchs' 16-12 win over Denbigh, Christopher drilled a 50-yard field goal. It was the longest by a PD kicker since Bethel's Ryan Garner hit from the same distance in 1998. And it was only the fourth field goal of at least 50 yards in district history.

Later, Christopher lined up from 53 yards, which would have been the longest by a district kicker. He easily had the distance but it was just wide right.

Quotable

"I'm not going to shave my beard and I'm going to stay in this golf cart until we lose." — Bethel coach Jeff Nelson, whose team is 3-0 with him and his beard coaching from that golf cart.

Shorts

Heritage's 17-7 win over Gloucester was the program's first victory since Oct. 23, 2009. That also was against the Dukes. … Menchville has won two in a row for the first time since the 2002 season. … Woodside's Chris Moller has four field goals in three games this season. … Denbigh has three receivers with at least 16 catches: Paul Gostomski (19 for 200 yards), Devione Green (16-215 ) and Michael Taylor (16-100).